Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1887-07-15
STEAM POWER VERSUS WA
9 TEA POWER.

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building mills that there is quite
determination to locate in the towns
or cities, and use steam power, which
seems tome to be largely the result
OF town patriotism. SO TO speak
Whilst the promoters OF manufacs
turing enterprise may be, to a con
siderable extent, influenced by the
desire to have their business near
them and also more convenient to
other avenues of trade than would be
the case in tie country, there is su-
peradded to this the combined influ.
ence of the citizens of the town, rein
forced by the local newspaper to To-
cate there. Build up the town, they
say, increase the permanent popula-
ton, bring in more money, circulate
more; ali will feel its beneficial ef-
fects. In urging these things they
state the truth, and all they say in
regard to the advantages to be de.
rived by the town will apply with
greater force to the needs of the
country where the water powers are.
So much for the benefit of town or
country. Now let us consider The in.
terests of the money investors. To
build in the town steam power must
generally be used, and the steam
plant costs heavily and requires an
engineer and fireman at higA wages,
and an immense expense for coal or
wood, the latter at double prices or
more. The trade Of the town would
get the cash paid out to the employ
ees, whereas, in the country on the
water powers prosperous mercan-
tile business may be established, and
the most of wages paid in what the
employers need more than they do
cash. The heavy daily expense of
engineer, fireman and fuel would be
saved; town OF city tax also, which is
generally considerable item. Rents
are higher i'll the towns, end various
kinds of necessaries and the. demand
OF other expenditures more pressing,
and hence wages must be higher. 1
am sure that the additional expense
just here will more than cover the ex.
pense of keeping team or teams to
go to and from the railroad station,
a few or moro miles away; and be-
sides the town manufacturer has to
keep team or pay drayage to some
one else. In addition to doing the
hauling for the mills in the country,
the teams can be employed on the
factory, farm, or in hauling wood for
the tenants.
In one of our North Carolina cities,
moneyed firm built 6,0OO.spindle
factory, and are doing well. Other
moneyed men of the same place, in
disregard of all the town influences
and with sharp eye to their inter
ests, the Immediate and most impor.
tant purpose for which factories are
supposed to be built, have purchased
water power and farm in the coun,
try, and are building cotton mill OF
about the same size. Now, whilst
seeking their own interest by build.
ing in the country, if they are not
building up their town as much ms
they would to build Mt homo, they
are nevertheless benefting their com.
mon country just rs much, and, L be.
lieve, are doing themselves more
good. The country needs improve.
ment as much as tho towns and cities,
and more so; and, if the capitalists
of towns and cities can do better for
themselves to build water
powers, they-nun,-A'o do so, and In
doing Iney are as great, if not
80 oaier, public benefactors than those
who build in town. Which OF the
above referred to mills will make the
most money when under full head
way do not know, but I believe the
one in the country. am free to con
fess that I am Interested in water
powers at other places. and if my pc.
sition that the prepondering adyan-
tages are in favor of the country wa.
ter power is wrong, ! am willing to
and desirous of knowing it.
G. l.. TUnNRR.
Our latest advices from Elkhorn
show great progress. The mason
work on the abutments for trestle